CONTRIBUTED BY ACES
WRITTEN BY KATIE NICHOLS

When cooler temperatures set in, warm soups are a great dinner option for the family to enjoy together. Live Well Alabama’s team of agents and nutritionists have a variety of soup recipes that are sure crowd pleasers. This Friday, Live Well Alabama is serving up Family Favorite Tomato Soup and Potluck Taco Soup.

FAMILY FAVORITE TOMATO SOUP

With a stunning 40 mg of sodium per serving, this homemade tomato soup has a significantly lower sodium content than most canned tomato soups, which can contain 500 mg. However, don’t let the lower sodium count fool you. This soup is delicious and simple to make.

INGREDIENTS

  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • one medium yellow onion, diced
  • two cans of diced tomatoes, 14.5 ounces each
  • one, 46-ounce bottle or can of tomato juice
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • black pepper to taste
  • 1 cup of 2 percent milk
  • 1/4 cup of fresh basil, chopped (optional)

PRO TIP

Add fresh, chopped basil for additional flavor and color.

DIRECTIONS

Melt the butter in a large pot. Add onion and cook until soft, about five minutes. Add diced tomatoes and tomato juice. Stir to combine. Stir in sugar and pepper. Heat to almost a boil. Turn off the heat. Add milk and basil, if desired. Serve warm and enjoy.

Want to learn more? Step-by-step instructions for Family Favorite Tomato Soup, as well as an instructional video, are available at LiveWellAlabama.com.

POTLUCK TACO SOUP

Who doesn’t love taco soup? This simple recipe includes canned beans and tomatoes, making it an easy weeknight menu item.

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1/2 large onion, chopped
  • one red bell pepper, chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons cumin
  • two cans Italian diced tomatoes, 14 ounces, undrained
  • one can corn, 14 ounces, undrained
  • two cans black beans, 14 ounces, drained
  • 1 cup water (add additional cup if needed)

PRO TIP

Add toppings such as reduced-fat sour cream, low-fat cheese or lime wedges.

DIRECTIONS

In a large pan, cook the beef over medium heat until browned. Add onion and bell pepper. Cook five minutes. Drain the fat from the cooked beef, onion and pepper. Add garlic powder, chili powder and cumin. Cook and stir for one minute. Add tomatoes, corn, beans and water. Bring to boil, reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes. Add toppings as desired.

Want to learn more? Step-by-step instructions for Potluck Taco Soup, as well as an instructional video, are available at www.LiveWellAlabama.com.

LIVE WELL ALABAMA

Live Well Alabama is a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education (SNAP-Ed) initiative developed by the Alabama Cooperative Extension System at Auburn University. This initiative reaches residents across the state with research-based education.